In order to protect the environment and contribute to its growth, more than 175,000 trees were planted in 2022 in the Bajo Cauca of Antioquia and Southern Córdoba.
The Ground Operations Battalion No.23, of the Aquiles Joint Task Force, within the framework of the Ayacucho Plan, seeks to contribute to the sustainability of ecosystems and the environment, that is why the initiative was carried out by the soldiers to build a rudimentary nursery on the premises of the military base, in the municipality of Puerto Libertador, Córdoba, and, since 2022, they are planting 100,000 trees typical of the region.
The process begins with the collection of the seeds in the area of operations by the soldiers, then they are transported by helicopter flights.
Upon arrival at the Battalion, the distribution is made to the personnel in charge of the nursery, who verify the condition of the seeds and their origin. Then, the germination and growth study process is carried out and then they are taken to the reusable rice bags provided by the canteens of the troops and soldiers of the BATOT 23 operation area, providing approximately 1900 bags of rice monthly.
The plants are transported to the plastic bags where they remain for two and a half months. During this period, operations are carried out periodically to keep them healthy and later distributed to public and private institutions, social leaders and community action boards, and with this, to reforestation campaigns and the recovery of water sources.
In the process, fertilizer is in the same way made with residues of banana peels, cassava, cucumber, potato and other vegetables, which go through a decomposition phase to be mixed later with livestock manure, horse manure, sawdust and black soil. This is done with the intention of increasing the fertility of the soils and improving the trees.
In this way, the soldiers of Colombia demonstrate that they are permanent custodians of the natural resources of the region, thus contributing with mitigation strategies to counteract the weakening of the fauna and flora.
The men and women of the Aquiles Joint Task Force will continue to work in coordination with public and private organizations for the reforestation and conservation of water sources in areas degraded by the illicit exploitation of mining deposits, illicit plantations and logging.
Source: National Army Press
